Chapter 4: The Socialite’s Desperation
Chapter 4: The Socialite’s Desperation
Within forty-eight hours, the high-society world Vanessa so desperately craved completely vanished.
Alexander hadn't just divorced her; he had blacklisted her. A leaked, anonymous tip to the press—without revealing Lily's identity—stated that Vanessa had been stripped of her married name due to "gross moral turpitude."
Her credit cards were declined at every luxury boutique. Her "friends," who used to beg for invites to her galas, blocked her number. When she tried to check into a five-star hotel, the manager politely but firmly informed her that her reservation had been canceled.
Desperate and furious, Vanessa met her mother and her brother, Julian, in a dingy diner on the outskirts of the city.
"We're ruined," Julian groaned, slamming his hands on the table. "Harrington Industries pulled out of the startup deal. My investors are suing me. We're going to lose the house, Vanessa!"
Evelyn glared at her daughter. "You stupid girl. You had the world's richest man in your palm, and you ruined it over a child!"
"Stop blaming me!" Vanessa snarled, her eyes glinting with a dangerous, psychotic light. "Alexander thinks he can discard me like trash? If he wants to protect that little brat so badly, let's see how much he's willing to pay to get her back."
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Julian looked up, horrified but intrigued. "Vanessa... what are you talking about?"
"Alexander loves that girl more than life itself," Vanessa whispered, leaning across the table. "If Lily disappears, Alexander will give up his entire empire to get her back. We don't need a divorce settlement. We just need one good ransom."
